Dispensing container



Jan. 1, 1952 R. H. CASLER DISPENSING CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet l 4Filed sept. 2'?, 194e Jan. 1, 1952 R. H. cAsLER DISPENSING CONTAINER 4 Sheets-ShedI 2 Filed Sept. 27, 1946 Janl, 1952 R. H. cAsLx-:R 2,581,237

DISPENSING CONTAINER 4 Sheets--Shee'l 3 Filed Sept. 27, 1946 @er H Casier Giften-Legs Jan. 1, 1952 R. H. cAsLER DISPENSING CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 27, 1946 Patented Jan. l, 1952 DISPENSING CONTAINER Roger H. Casier, Oakville, Conn., assignor, by mesne assignments, of one-half to Ex-Cell-O Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan, and one-hal! to a group comprising Ace C. Fessenden, Chicago, Ill., and Ace Carton Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation o! Illinois Application september 27, 194s, seal No. 699,750

l 16 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to containers made of paperboard or other sheet material, and more particularly to a liquid-tight and sift-proof container provided with a novel dispensing opening and protective cover iiap therefor.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide in a paper container of the type having a. substantially iiat top formed by end flaps which are adhesively secured together a novel dispensing construction which while normally sealed, in order to effective preserve the contents in a fresh and uncontaminated condition, may be readily and quickly operated in order that the contents may be dispensed in a highly convenient manner.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a container dispensing construction of the type which includes a novel arrangement of dispensing opening and overlying protective cover flap therefor, which are respectively formed in a pair of the end aps of the container blank. and which automatically assume an aligned arrangement as the blank is formed into the container.

A further object includes a novel cover flap construction which, after a portion of the contents of the container have been dispensed, and it is desired to preserve the remainder, may be frictionally engaged with a portion of the container top in order to elfectively maintain the cover ap in a closed position.

Still another object resides in constructing the container top and protective cover flap for the dispensing opening in such manner that after the flap is opened, it may be bent rearwardly and frictionally locked with a portion of the container top, this arrangement being especially desirable when it is desired to drink the contents of the container, such as milk for example, directly from the container.

Still another object is to provide a, novel container blank construction having side wall panels together with top and bottom aps so arranged that successive blanks may be formed from a continuously moving web of sheet material without any paper waste.

A further object is to provide a, container blank adapted to be folded in such a. manner as to provide flange portions at the top of the container connected by continuous webs of the container material together with a pair of end closing aps respectively provided with a dispensing opening and a cover flap therefor, the end closing flaps being integral with certain of said flange portions and adapted to be bonded to the latter under the 2 application cf pressure to secure a positive iiow of adhesive between the flaps and flange portions to seal all openings therebetween.

A still further object is to provide a novel dispensing container of the foregoing character which may be manufactured at relatively low cost and which may be quickly set up. assembled and filled with a minimum of number'of operations.

Other objects and novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter, from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein several embodiments of the invention are illustrated. It is to be expressly understood,

however, that the drawings are utilized for purposes of illustration only, and are not to be taken as a definition of the limits of the invention. reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims. e

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a series of container blanks as they are formed from a web of sheet material.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a partially assembled container and mechanism for forming the container top;

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views similar to Fig. 2 and illustrating successive steps in forming the container top;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the completed I container;

Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view of the top illustrating the movement of the cover flap to open position;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the cover ap closed and frictionally locked with the webs of the container top; l

Fig. 9 is a partial plan view of a modified form of container blank;

Fig. l0 is a partial plan view of still another modified form of container blank;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a container formed from the blanks of Fig. 9 or 10;

Fig. 12 is a partial perspective view of the top of a container formed from the blank of Fig. 10, and

Fig. 13 is a partial perspective view of the conl tainer of Fig. 12 after the cover flap is closed.

particularly adapted to a leak-proof and sift-proof container of the type disclosed in the copending application of Wilfred A. Eaton, Serial No. 671,832, filed August 23, 1946, for Containers, such application being owned by the same assignee as the present application. In the following description and accompanying drawings, the present invention is described and illustrated as being associated with a container of the type disclosed in the prior Eaton application, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to containers of this type but may be embodied in containers of various characters.

Referring more particularly to Fig. l, there is illustrated therein, a plurality of similar container blanks I4, I4a, and |411 adapted to be formed and cut from a web of paperboard or similar sheet material. It will be understood that the blanks may be cut and scored by hand, if desired. but it is preferred that the blank formation take place in a continuous manner by suitable machines. l

As shown, each of the container blanks is divided into rectangular Wall panels I6, I6, 26 and 22 as by means of scored folding lines 24, the panel I5 being provided with the usual glue flap 26 which is adapted to be adhesively secured to the panel 22. `The wall panels I6 and 26 are provided at one end with integral half-flaps 26 and 36, whilethe panels I6 and 22 are provided with integral full-flaps 32 and 34, the flaps 26, 36 and 32, 34 being thus arranged as to be in opposed relationship when the container is assembled. At the opposite end, the container blank I4, for example is provided with top closing flaps 36 and 36 which are respectively formed integrally with the rectangular panels I6 and 22.

In order to secure the desirable dispensing features heretofore referred to, the present invention provides a novel construction associated with the top aps 36 and 36, and desirably, such construction is so constituted that successive complete container blanks are cut from the paperboard supply web without wasting any paper. More particularly, and referring to Fig. l, it is seen that the blanks |4 and I4a are separated by the heavy cut line 36 which defines top naps 36 'and 36 of the blank i4 and corresponding top aps 36a and 38a of the blank I4a. The division between the aforesaid two blanks is also such that flaps 36 and 36a, are respectively provided with dispensing openings 46 and 42 While the flaps 38 and 36a are respectively formed with cover naps 44 and 46 which are adapted to overlie the respective openings 46 and 42 when the container tops are assembled in a manner to be referred to hereinafter. Preferably, the cover naps 44 and 46 are provided with tongues 45 and 41 respectively and are connected with their associated top aps 38 and 36a by score lines 35, forming a hinge and by perforations 31, the latter constituting a weakened joint for enabling tearing the flap to dispensing position, as shown in Fig. '1.

It is particularly stressed that the end of the cover flap 44 of blank I4 is cut out of the flap 36a of the adjacent blank |4a to form the opening 42 in this latter iiap. Also, it is observed that the end of the cover flap 46 of blank |4a is cut out of the nap 36 of the adjacent blank I4 and forms the opening 46 in this last mentioned flap. Thus in providing the novel dispensing features of the present invention, including the dispensing openings 46, 42 and the cover flaps 44 and 46, the adjacent blanks I4 and |4a are com plementary and no material is wasted.

Blanks |4a and |4b are, as shown, separated by the heavy cut line 46 which is so arranged as to separate these blanks along lines which insure a disposition of full and half naps on these respective blanks, similar to the naps 26, 36, 32 and 34 of the blank I4. Thus blank I4a is formed with integral full flaps 32a, 34a and integral half flaps 26a and 66a while the blank I4b is provided with full flaps 62h, 34h and half flaps 26h and 36h. In this manner the web of paperboard material is transversely cut at proper intervals along its length to provide alternate cut lines similar to the lines 36 and 46, and the successive blanks may be readily separated by removing the ends of the cover flaps 44 and 46 from the respective openings 42 and 46.

During formation of the blanks, in addition to the score lines heretofore mentioned, certain others are impressed on each blank in order that opposite ends of the blank may be folded in such manner as to secure a leak-proof top and bottom for the container. More particularly the half flaps 26 and 36 of the blank I4 are provided with respective score lines 56 and 52 for facilitating the formation of a leak-proof container bottom. With respect to the other end of the blank. a score line 54 defines, in cooperation with angularly disposed score lines 56, 56, 66 and 62, substantially isosceles trapezoidal shaped panels 64 and 66 at the right ends of wall panels I6 and 20, and adjacent substantially triangular panels 66, 16, 12 and 14. Additional score lines 16 and 16 define, in conjunction with the score line 54 and the horizontal score lines 24 rectangular panels 66 and 62 at the right ends of panels I6 and 22 respectively. Other angularly disposed score lines 64, 66, and 66, 96 on panels I6 and 26 respectively, together with score lines 24 and 54, define a pair of triangular panels 62 and 94 on wall panel I6 and a pair of triangular panels 96 and 66 at the right end of wall panel 26. If desired, an additional vertically arranged score line |66 may be provided, which defines, in conjunction with score lines 64, 54, 66, 88 and 66, isosceles trapezoidal shaped panels |62 and |64 at the right ends of wall panels I6 and 26 respectively. It is observed that rectangular panels |66 and |68 are formed on the respective panels i8 and 26 by the score lines 24, 54 and |66.

In assembling the bottom naps 28, 36, 32 and 34 to form the container bottom, all of the aforesaid naps are provided with flowable adhesivev coatings H6, as shown, and the flaps are preferably assembled in the manner disclosed in the copending application of Roy S. Sanford and Wilfred A. Eaton, Serial No. 644,547, filed January 3l, 1946, for Paper Container, owned by the same assignee as the present application. More particularly, and as set forth in the Sanford and Eaton application, after the blank I4 has been formed into a tube, by joining the glue flap 26 to the wall panel 22, the bottom closure is formed by folding the half flaps 26 and 36 about the score lines 56 and 54 respectively to bring the adhesively coated surfaces together. Thereafter, the half fiaps of double thickness are folded inwardly to a position at right angles to the container walls, following which the flaps 34 and 32 are folded inwardly in the order named. Thereafter, the fiaps, thus assembled are subjected to pressure to effect a firm bond therebetween and to positively flow the adhesive coatings thereon into all cracks and pin holes between the flaps and between the naps and container walls, thus forming a leakproof substantially at closure for the bottom of the container.

Assuming that the bottom of the container has been formed and sealed as above described, and that the container has been waxed or otherwise coated with a suitable moisture proof material. should such coating be desirable in viewv of the nature of the contents, it is only necessary to fill the container with the desired material following which the top may be closed and sealed in accordance with the method `described in the aforementioned Eaton application.` More particularly, the container is placed on a forming and sealing machine 2, 2, being supported at its lower end by a suitable support. not shown. The container now has a rectangular cross section and the upper end is open, with the end closing flaps 36 and 38 extending upwardly from panels 80 and 82. The machine is provided with a pair of opposed relatively movable members such as slides ||4 and ||6, the width of member ||4 at its inner end being the same as or slightly less than the length of the upper side of panel |02, and the width of the inner end of member ||6 being the same as or slightly less than the length of the upper side of panel |04. Another pair of opposed movable members such as slides v||8 andl |20 are mounted in the machine for movement substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of members ||4 and ||6. the widths of members ||8 and |20 being substantially the same as the widths of wall panels I8 and 22 respectively. As shown, the movable members are guided for rectilinear movement by guides |22, suitably secured to the machine. rectangular plunger |24 is mounted for vertical movement on a portion of the machine in any suitable manner, not shown, the plunger being of substantially the same shape and size as the cross section of the container, and preferably having'the four corners of the bottom surface relieved slightly at |26, thus providing centrally positioned portions |28 on each side of the plunger. A

In ordervto form the upper part of the container preparatory to sealing the latter, the plunger |24 is initially moved downwardly within the open end of the container to a position where its lower surface is slightly above the level of the f upper surfaces of the movable slides. The latter,

whose upper surfaces are slightly below the score line 54 on the container are substantially simultaneously moved inwardly until they assume the positions shown in Fig. 3. During such inward movement of the slides ||4, ||6, ||8 and |20, the panels |02, |04,V |06 and |08, respectively engaged thereby. are folded inwardly about the score line |00. At the same time, panels 64, 66, 80 and 82 are engaged by the portionsh|28 of the plunger |24 and are folded outwardly to form a substantially horizontally positioned flat flange around the upper end of the container, the substantially triangular panels 68, l0, forming connecting webs between the flange forming panel 64 and flangeforming panels 82 and 80, and the substantially triangular panels 12 and 14 forming continuous webs between flange forming panels 80 and 82.

The flange forming panels and the substantially triangular panels are all folded outwardly with respect to their original positions. see Fig. 3, and ange supporting panels |02, |04, |06 and |06 and the adjacent triangular panels 92, 94, 96 and 98 are all folded inwardly, the latter panels serving to form webs between the flange supporting panels and to form four strengthening ribs adjacent the top of the container, see ribs |30 and |32 of-Fig. 7.

, Following the above procedure, the plunger |24 is retracted as -shown'in Fig. 4, and -after folding the flaps 36 and 38 inwardly as shown in Fig. y

the top flaps 38 and 36 and the flange forming -l panels 64, 66. 80, and 82 together to effect a firm .bond therebetween and to positively flow the adhesiye coatings ||0 to seal all openings and pin holes, the flange forming panels being effectively supported during this operation by the slides ||4,

| I6, I8 and |20 in order to permit the application of any desired force by'operation of the pressure plate |34, As soon as a bond has been eected and the adhesive flowed into the openings between the flange forming panels and between the latter and the end closing flaps to seal all cracks and openings, the pressure plate |34 and the slides ||4, ||6, ||8 and |20 may be retracted to permit removal of the filled and sealed container from the forming machine.

During the above described top sealing operation, it will be understood that the tongue 45 of the cover flap 44 is moved downwardly in any suitable manner sofas to lie against the outside. surface of the flange forming panel 66. There-v after, the slide ||6 during its movement toward the 'container engages the tongue 45 following which the steps of sealing the top flaps set forth heretofore, are performed. When the latter operations have been completed, it will be noted from Figs. 6. 7 and 8, that the tongue 45 is tucked beneath the flange forming panel 66, this action being facilitated by providing the tongue with spaced-apart score lines |36 and |38.

In order to provide a top closure possessing a high degree of strength andrigidity, it is contemplated that the slides ||4, ||6, ||8 and |20 may be moved inwardly a suilicient distance to substantially effect engagement of the inner surfaces of panels 94 and 96 with panel |06 on the one hand, and of panels 92 and 98 with thepanel |08 on glue flap 26 on the other. In this manner, see Fig. '7, the ribs |30 and |32 are formed which serve to materially stiffen and rigidly support the flange forming portions at the top of the container, and also provide opposed recesses which permit the user to readily grasp and lift the container. It will be noted that during the top sealing operation, the adhesively coated surfaces of the substantially triangular panels 68, '|0, 12 and '|4 engage the adhesively coated surfaces of the adjacent rectangular flange forming panels 80 and 82 and are firmly bonded' thereto to form a strong reinforcement at the corners of the top closure. i One of the features of a container top constructed as above described resides in 'so constructing the blank that when assembled into a container, the dimension A of Fig. 7 will be less than the dimension B. Such an arrangement provides clearance between the top edges of the containers when packed in a carton to enable the user to readily grasp and remove the containers therefrom.V To this end, the score lines 56, 58,

and 62, which are preferably arranged at an.

panel 22. Thus when the panels are folded andA the top assembled and sealed in the manner heretofore described, the dimension A, which is substantially the same as the aforesaid distances between the upper ends of the score lines, is less than dimension B, t e latter corresponding of course, to the width f the wall panels I6 and 22.

After the containe/r has been formed, lled and sealed in the manner set forth above, the contents thereof may be readily dispensed by merely lifting the tongue 45 to tear the cover nap 44 along the weakened lines 31 and expose the opening 40; it being understood that during this operation, the cover flap 44 remains hinged to the top ap 38 by the score line 35. It will be noted that the opening 40 is so shaped that the pouring edge |42 thereof terminates short of the score line 54 which forms the juncture between the panel |04 and the flange forming panel 66. This construction\thus assures a sharp lip at the edge |42 which eliminates any`tendency toward dripping of the contents.

A highly important feature of the invention resideslin the provision of an arrangement for locking the coverv flap in closed position after a portion of the contents have been dispensed and it is desired to keep the remainder for future use. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 8 inclusive, `such desirable arrangement is achieved by making the' dimension C of the cover flap 44 slightly wider than the distance between the upper ends of the ribs |30 and |32, shown as dimension D in Fig. 8. With such a construction it will be readily understood that when it is desired to close and lock the ap 44, it is only necessary to move the same from the position shown in Fig. '7 to that shown in Fig. 8 whereupon the outer edgesof the portion |44 of the flap 44 between the score lines |36 and |38 will become frictionally engaged with the upper and adjacent portions of the ribs |30 and |32. It will also be appreciated that due to this construction, the ap 44 is frictionallylocked in closed position during the assembly of the top, thus materially facilitating this operation.

In the form of the invention heretofore described it will be recalled that the blanks are cut from a continuous web of paperboard without waste of material. This is achieved by forming the dispensing or pouring opening of one blank by cutting from one of the top flaps thereof, a portion of the cover flap of an adjacent blank. While this construction saves material, it will be noted that the pouring opening 4|! of the flap 36 for example is completely open at one edge, see Figs.

2-5. With this arrangement, when the top flaps posed between the flange forming panels 64, 66

and the top flap 38 to provide opposite edges of y V equal strength.

are assembled, the top flaps 38 will be bonded directly to the flange forming panel 64 over a major portion of the length of the latter, without having a continuous portion of the top flap 36 therebetween, as occurs at the opposite edgeof the flap 38 when it is assembled with respect to the flangey forming panel 66. Thus the strength at one edge of the. completed top may not be as strong as that at the opposite edge.

In Fig. 9 there is disclosed a modified form of blank |46 which is sc arranged that the corresponding opposite edges of the container top are of equal strength. As shown, the blank |48 is similar to blank I4 except that each blank is separately stamped or cut from the web material and the flap 36 is continuous around the opening 48 rather than being cut away to leave open one edge of the dispensing opening 48 as in the case of the first form of the invention. Thus in the rodied form, when the top is assembledl and It win also be noted in connection with Fig. 9 that the weakened line- |50 joining the cover flap 44 to the top flap 38 is constituted by zig-zag per- .foraticns rather than by straght-perforations as in Fig. 1, itvhaving been found in practice, that the use of a zig-zag tear line materially improves the strength of the container top.

Since the container of the present invention may be advantageously employed for the packaging of milk, Figs. 10-13 illustrate a further form which is similar to that shown in Fig. 9 except that it is so constituted as to greatly facilitate the drinking of the contents directly from the container. For this purpose, the cooperating edges |52 and |54 of the top flap 36 and the flange forming panel 66 respectively, are curved. see Fig. 10, so that when the top is assembled and bonded, in the manner heretofore described in connection with Figs. 1 8, and the cover flap 44 is torn to the position shown in Fig. 12, a curved edge |56 will be presented to the lower lip of the user. While the opening 40 may take any desirable configuration it is preferred that theedge over which the contents are dispensed be curved as shown at |58 in Fig. 10. With this arrangement of curved edges |56 and |58, the user may drink directly from the container without danger of spilling any of the contents.

A. further feature of the form shown inFig` l0 resides in constructing the cover flap 44 in such manner that it may not only be frictionally locked in closed position after initial opening, as in the two forms previously described, but may also be frictionally locked in open position to further facilitate drinking directly from the container. To this end, the score line 35, forming the hinged connection between the cover flap 44 and the top ilap 38is arranged substantially midway between opposite edges of the latter. Thus after the flap 44 has been opened, it may be moved upwardly and rearwardly into engagement with the top surfaceof the flap 38, and the panel |44 tucked into the recess |40 at the rear of the container, as viewed in Fig. 13. Frictional engagement between the opposite edges of the panel |44 and the .the cover flap 44 in open position, precisely in the same manner, as the cover iiap may be locked in closed position after lbeing initially opened.

Preferably, the bottoms of the blanks of Figs. 9 and l0 are constituted in the same manner as the blank of Fig. l and the tops of the modiiications are folded, assembled and bonded as in the first form of the invention. However, it will be understood that the opening features of the invention may be utilized with containers wherein the bottoms and tops are formed otherwise than as disclosed in Figs. 1-8, if desired.

It has been previously stated, in connection with the formation of the top of the container, that the latter may be coated with wax or other suitable material prior to filling and thereafter closing and sealing the top. Such a sequence of operations is merely illustrative and by way of example only. A further desirable sequence might be the closing and bonding of the flap 36 to the flange forming panels 64, 66, and 82; the subsequent waxing or coating of the interior and ex- .terior surfaces, the coating material being applied may be Performed where the filling operation is to take place, at a dairy for example. In such event.

the containers may be shipped in a set-up waxed condition with the iiap 38 permanently bonded to the flange forming panels 84, 66, 30 and l2, and the top flap 33 temporarily sealed by the application'of a slight amount of heat just suflicient to melt the wax coating on the underside of the top flap 33. This would enable the ap 33 to be opened for lling the container through the opening 40, whereupon the ilap 38 may be permanently bonded to the top by the application of pressure in the manner heretofore described. it being understood that the ap 44 is moved against the panel |04 so that the opposite edges thereof are frictionally engaged with the ribs |30 and |32.

From the foregoing, it will be readily perceived that the present invention provides a novel blank and container structure which may be readily `formed in a single piece from paperboard or other similar sheet material. The arrangement of the blanks in Fig. 1 is such that no material is wasted. notwithstanding each blank is provided with a top dispensing opening and a protective cover nap of generous size. Of particular importance is the construction of the cover ilap 44 and its cooperation with the container top whereby the flap may be locked in either open or closed position. Further features reside in the .provision of a nondrip dispensing openingV together with the curving of the edges |56 and |53 which materially facilitates drinking directly from the container without spilling. It will also be noted, that in all forms of the invention the contents of the container are poured over asurface of one of the top flaps which is normally completely covered and protected by the cover flap, thereby resulting in a highly sanitary construction.

It will be understood that in assembling the tops of any of the containers heretofore described, it is not necessary to bond the tongue 45 of the cover flap 44 to the exterior of the panel |04. In practice, the tongue is preferably forced against said panel by any suitable heated element whereupon the melted wax or other coating, when cooled, causes the tongue to effectively adhere to the outersurface of the panel |04. To lift the ap 44, it is only necessary for the user to insert his fingernail or the point of a knife under the lower edge of the tongue, then grasp the latter and pull upwardly to expose the dispensing opening 40, see Figs. '7 and 12.

While several forms of the invention have been shown and described herein, with considerable particularity, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, that various modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, while the novel dispensing opening and protective cover ap construction has been shown in connection with a container top formed in a particular manner, it will be perceived that such construction may be employed with container tops of various types. Reference will therefore be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A tubular paperboard container having a t bottom and side walls, outwardly extending flanges formed at the upper ends of said side walls, an end iiap adhesively secured to said anges and A1|) provided with a dispensing opening. and a second flap overlying the rst flap and adhesively secured thereto. said second iap being weakened along lines dening a tear strip overlying said opening, and said tear strip having a tongue folded around one of said iianges to substantially cover the exposed portions thereof adjacent said opening.

2. A tubular paperboard container having. a bottom and side walls, outwardly extending flanges formed at the upper ends of said side walls, an end nap integral with one of said side walls, adhesively secured to said iianges and provided with a dispensing opening, and a second ap, integral with another of said side walls. overlying the rst flap and adhesively secured thereto, said second nap being weakened along lines defining a tear strip overlying said opening, and said tear strip having a tongue folded around one of said flanges to substantially cover the exposed portions thereof adjacent said opening.

3. A tubular paperboard container having a bottom, side walls and a at top, said top being provided with a dispensing opening and a protective, overlying cover flap therefore, said ap being connected to the top by a pair of weakened lines, one of said side walls being formed to provide a pair oflspaced apart strengthening ribs below the top. and a lifting tongue connected with said cover ap and having its opposite edges frictionally engaged with said ribs.

4. A tubular paperboard container having a bottom, top and side wall construction. said top having a dispensing opening with an overlying protective cover nap therefor, said nap being hinged to the top along one edge and being also connected with the top along other edges by weakened lines so that the flap may be partially torn from the top and moved about the hinged connection to expose the dispensing opening, the iiap being of such length as to provide a tongue bent over the edge of the top and lying against the container side wall, and means formed on the side wall for irictionally engaging opposite edges of said tongue to releasably lock the flap is closed position to cover the opening. after the flap has been initially opened.

5. A tubular paperboard container as set forth in claim 4 wherein the top is provided with an outwardly directed peripheral flange and the tongue is-bent over the edge of the ange and under the latter.

6. A tubular paperboard container having a bottom, top and side wall construction, said top having an outwardly directed peripheral ange and having also, a dispensing opening with an overlying protective cover flap therefor, said nap being hinged to the top along one edge and being also connected with the top along other edges by weakened lines so that the nap may be partially torn from the top and moved about the hinged connectionto expose the dispensing opening. the iiap being of such length as to provide a tongue bent over and beneath the flanged edge of the top and lying against the container side wall, and means including a pair of spaced apart strengthening ribs formed on the side wall for frictionally engaging opposite edges of said tongue to releasably lock the iiap in closed positin to cover the opening, after the iiap has been initially opened.

7. A tubular paperboard container having a bottom, side walls and a top, the latter being provided with a dispensing opening and a pouring surface extending outwardly from one of the container side walls and over which the container 1l contents may be poured, a protective cover flap hingedly connected with the top and overlying said opening and pouring surface, said flap being also connected to the top along weakened lines allowing the flap to be partially torn from the top and moved about said hinged connection to expose said opening and pouring surface, and spaced apart ribs formed on said one side wall of the container to frictionally engage opposite edges of a portion of said iiap to releasably lock the ap in closed position.

8. A tubular paperboard container having a bottom, side walls and a top, the latter being provided with a dispensing opening and a pouring surface extending outwardly from one of the container side walls and over which the container contents may be poured, a protective cover ap hingedly connected with the topi and overlying said opening and pouring surface, said iiap having a tongue lying against said one side wall and being bent beneath said pouring surface, and t spaced apart strengthening ribs formed on said one side wall to frictionally engage opposite edges of said tongue to releasably lock the nap in closed position.

9. In a container of the type having a bottom and side walls, a top dispensing closure therefor comprising outwardly folded flange forming panels at the upper end of each side wall, outwardly folded strengthening ribs formed on said side walls and connecting said panels, an end closing flap, means for adhesively securing said iiap to said fiange forming panels said iiap hav.- ing a. portion associated therewith along weakened lines to allow said portion to be partially torn from the flap to open said container, and a tongue extending from said portion over and beneath one of said panels and having each of its opposite edges frictionally engaged with one of said ribs to releasably lock the ap in closed position.

10. In a container of the type having a bottom and side walls defining a substantially rectangular cross section, a top dispensing closure therefor comprising outwardly folded fiange forming panels at the upper end of each side wall. outwardly folded strengthening ribs formed at the adjacent edges of said side walls at the top thereof and connecting said panels, an end closing flap integral with one of said side Walls, means for adhesively securing said flap to said flange forming panels, said ,flap having a dispensing opening therein, a second end closing flap integral with another of said side walls and adhesively secured to said first flap, the second nap having a portion associated therewith along weakened lines to allow said portion to be partially torn from the second flap to expose said opening and a tongue extending from said portion over and beneath one of said panels and having each of its opposite edges frictionally engaged with one of said ribs to releasably lock the iiap in closed position.

11. A paper container comprising a body of substantially rectangular cross section and a flat end closure therefor, said body being provided adjacent its upper end with a plurality of inwardly directed panels connected with a plurality of outwardly directed panels forming a marginal flange at the upper end of the body, said inwardly directed panels forming strengthening ribs at the juncture between each panel and adjacent panels, an end flap adhesively secured to said marginal flange and provided with a dispensing opening, and a second flap overlying the first flap l2 l and adhesively secured thereto, said second flap being weakened along lines defining a tear strip overlying said opening and a portion of said flange, and said tear strip having a tongue folded beneath said portion of the flange and having opposite edges respectively frlctionally engaged with adjacent ribs to releasably lock the strip in closed position.

12. A plurality of adjacent container blanks formed to match at opposite ends thereof, the matching ends of a pair of adjacent blanks being defined by an irregular continuous cut line to provide alternate matching end flaps, an end flap of one blank having an integral tear strip provided with a tongue cut out of an adjacent end nap of the other blank to form a dispensing opening in the latter flap, and an end flap of said other blank having a similar integral tear strip provided with a similar tongue cut out of an adjacent end ap of said one blank to form a dispensing opening in the last mentioned flap.

13. A tubular paperboard container having a bottom, side walls and a top, the latter being provided with a dispensing opening and a pouring surface extending outwardly from one of the container side walls and over which the container contents may be poured, a protective cover flap hingedly connected substantially centrally of the top and overlying said opening and pouring surface, a pair of ribs formed on said one side wall of the container adjacent said pouring surface and spaced apart a slightly lesser distance than the width of said ap to frictionally engage opposite edges of a portion of said flap to releasably lock the nap in closed position to cover the opening, and a second pair of ribs formed on the side wall opposite said one side wall and also spaced apart a slightly lesser distance than the width of said flap to frictionally engage opposite edges of a portion of said flap to releasably lock the flap in fully open position.

14. A flat blank for a tubular container of rectangular cross section, comprising a sheet of paperboard material scored and cut to provide side wall panels, bottom closing flaps at one end of said side wall panels and a plurality of iiange panels at the other end of said side wall panels, the iiange panels forming outwardly extending marginal flanges when the blank is folded into a container, a pair of top closing iiaps respectively formed integrally with a pair of iiange panels, one of said top aps being provided with a centrally positioned dispensing opening and a surface over which the contents of the container, when the container ls assembled, may be poured, and the other top flap having a tear strip provided with a lift tab extending beyond the margin of said other top flap, the tear strip, when the container is assembled, overlying said opening and said surface and the lift tab being folded around one of said flanges.

15. A nat blank for a tubular container of rectangular cross section, comprising a sheet of paperboard material scored and cut to provide side wall panels, bottom closing flaps at one end of said side wall panels and a plurality of flange panels at the other end of said side wall panels, adjacent flange panels being connected by substantially triangular foldable panels, the flange panels and the foldable panels forming outwardly 'extending and continuous marginal flanges when the blank is folded into a container, a pair of rectangular top closing flaps respectively formed integrally with a pair of alternate ange panek, one of said top flaps being pro- 13 vided with a centrally positionedopenlng and a surface over which the contents of the container, when the container is assembled, may be poured, and the other top ilap being weakened along lines defining a tear strip intermediate two side edges of said other ilap and hlngedly connected thereto, the tear strip having a lift tab extending beyond the margin of said other top iiap and toward said one end iiap, the tear strip, when the container is assembled, overlying said opening and said surface and the lift tab being folded around one oi' said ilanges.

16. A flat blank for a tubular container of rectangular cross section, comprising a sheet of paperboard material scored and cut to provide side wall panels, bottom closing flaps at one end of said side wall panels and a ilange panel at the other end of each of said side wall panels, adjacent ange panels being connected by substantially triangular foldable panels, the ange panels and the foldable panels forming outwardly extending and continuous marginal flanges when the blank is folded into a container, a pair of rectangular top closing ilaps respectively formed integrally with a pair of alternate flange panels, one of said top iiaps being provided with a centrally positioned opening and a surface over which the contents vof the container, when the container is assembled, may be poured, the free edge oi' said one top flap facing the other top flap being curved inwardly, and the free edge of 15 REFERENCES CITED The following references are ot record in the ille of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS 20 Number Name Date 958,707 Stall'ord May 17, 1910 2,345,411 Moeller Mar. 28, 1944 2,360,415 Gilbert Oct. 17, 1944 3,360,439 Monroe Oct. 17, 1944 25 2,365,159 Walton etal. Dec. 19, 1944 2,398,404 Brooks Apr. 18. 1946 2,417,104 Cope Mar. 11, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 30 Number l Country Date the flange panel positioned between the top flaps being similarly curved inwardly, `and the other top flap being weakened along lines dening a tear strip intermediate t'wo side edges of said other ilap and hingedly connected thereto, the tear strip having a lift tab extending beyond the margin of said other top ap and toward said one top ilap, the tear strip, when the container is assembled, overlying said opening and said surface and the lift tab having a portion thereof foldable around one of said flanges to engage the under portion of said one flange.

ROGER H.- CASLER.

Great Britain Nov. 30. 1944 

